During the Roaring Twenties, American lifestyles changed dramatically. Money was abundant and people were going out and having fun. All of this wealth and socializing contributes to the "American Dream". Jay Gatsby, the main character of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald symbolizes everything about this dream. Gatsby thinks money is the answer to all his problems and desires. This includes the woman he loves, Daisy. Jay Gatsby has the best of everything: the nicest car, the best clothes, the biggest house, and the liveliest parties.
The car during the twenties was the most important status symbol. Gatsby's car is one of the most expensive, magnificent cars created then. Nick Carraway is in awe the first time he sees it: "I'd seen it. Everybody had seen it. It was a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length..." (68). Gatsby is able to make Tom Buchanan jealous with his car. Tom takes the car into the city and tries to insult Gatsby, "I'll take you in this circus wagon" (128). It is Gatsby's dream, his marvelous car that shatters Tom's dream. Gatsby's car hit Tom's mistress, Myrtle Wilson and kills her instantly. Jay attempts to hide his car: "... he gave instructions that the open car wasn't to be taken out under any circumstances" (169). He tells Nick that no one saw him returning to his house. Nick gets angry at this because everyone knew the color of the car: "I disliked him so much by this time that I didn't find it necessary to tell him he was wrong" (151). Gatsby's dream car is what indirectly leads to his death.
Jay Gatsby buys his huge mansion at West Egg in order to be directly across from Daisy Buchanan's house. While he is at the Buchanan's house, he points this out to Tom: "Gatsby's eyes followed it momentarily;
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